NHL Game Preview - Philadelphia at Nashville

Tue Oct 10, 2017 8:00 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Before Nashville's home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, the Predators will do something they have never done -- hoist a banner to the rafters of Bridgestone Arena emblematic of a Western Conference championship.

Once the game starts, Nashville will try to do something it hasn't done yet this season: win a game.

The Predators' season-opening trip to Boston and Pittsburgh didn't exactly go smoothly. Nashville (0-2-0) lost the games by a combined score of 8-3 and never owned a lead.

The 4-0 loss to the Penguins on Saturday night in a Stanley Cup Finals rematch occurred against an opponent that allowed 15 goals in losses to the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks earlier last week.

"It's only two games, but we're behind the eight ball," Predators center Ryan Johansen said. "We need to win two games to get to .500 now. We're very comfortable playing at home, and we need to go home and take care of business."

The road trip aside, most expect Nashville to contend for the Central Division title and perhaps make another playoff run. While the Predators lost James Neal to Vegas in the expansion draft and captain Mike Fisher to retirement, the team flashed great organizational depth last spring in the playoffs.

Nashville added Nick Bonino, winner of consecutive Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh, to fortify the center position before Fisher retired. Winger Scott Hartnell was also signed from the Columbus Blue Jackets to add depth scoring and another veteran presence in the locker room.

Otherwise, the Predators are sticking with the young core that got them to Game 6 of the Finals last spring. That includes Kevin Fiala, who broke his leg in Game 1 of the conference semifinals against St. Louis just as he was making a name for himself. Fiala missed the Saturday night game with an upper-body injury, although he skated at practice Monday.

Scoring continues to be the question mark with Nashville in the eyes of many pundits. The shutout loss to the Penguins didn't exactly quell those worries.

"I don't think we were heavily outplayed or anything," Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm said. "It's a matter of getting those chances in the net."

Kind of as Wayne Simmonds did for Philadelphia during the first three games of its road trip. Simmonds tallied a hat trick Wednesday night in a 5-3, season-opening win at San Jose, then potted the game-winner Saturday night in overtime for a 3-2 victory over Anaheim.

The Flyers (2-1-0) have been at their best in the third period of all three games. They outshot the Ducks 15-4 in the final period Saturday night, with only the play of goalie John Gibson ushering Anaheim into OT. Philadelphia also enjoyed big advantages in shots on goal in the games against the Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings.

"We've rolled four lines," Simmonds said. "With all the guys that we have on this team that can skate and with the skill we have added, I think that helps us keep fresh for the third period."

Brian Elliott, who has won both of his starts for Philadelphia, is expected to oppose Pekka Rinne in net. Rinne lost the Predators' opener in Boston, allowing four goals.